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      Plymouth’s hunt to replace axed Wayne Rooney continues as former Premier League manager walks away from talks

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      PLYMOUTH ARGYLE’S search to replace Wayne Rooney continues after they were rejected by a former Premier League boss, according to reports.The Manchester United and England legend was axed on New Year’s Eve with the club bottom of the Championship.Wayne Rooney was axed by the club with them bottom of the tableCredit: PADavid Wagner was approached about the job but has turned it downCredit: GettyArgyle remain in the hunt for a new manager and they approached ex-Huddersfield and Norwich boss David Wagner about the vacancy earlier this week.But The Express report that he has walked away from talks as he is not interested in the job.Wagner got Huddersfield promoted to the Premier League and then kept them in the top-flight for one season before leaving the Terriers six years ago.After spells at Schalke and Young Boys, the German spent 18 months with Norwich.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut the 53-year-old was dismissed after they crashed out in the play-offs to Leeds back in May.Until Argyle find a new manager, Kevin Nancekivell and Joe Edwards will remain in temporary charge.Steven Schumacher is the favourite to take over at Home Park and complete a sensational return to the Pilgrims.The 40-year-old was surprisingly axed by Stoke back in September after quitting Argyle to move to the Potters just over a year ago.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSchumacher was a hugely popular figure in Devon after he got the club promoted to the Championship, winning the League One title in 2023.But he faces a tough job trying to keep them in the division should he take the job.’I was f***ing fuming with the wives,’ Gary Neville tells Coleen Rooney as he opens up on anger at 2006 World Cup fiascoArgyle are bottom of the table, remain three points from safety and are winless in their last 11 games.Rooney guided the club to just four victories from 23 games in the league during his tenure.And they conceded more goals (51) and scored the fewest (22) in the division at his time of departure.Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Graham Potter to appoint former Championship manager to West Ham staff just 13 days after he was sacked from last job

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      GRAHAM POTTER will appoint a recently sacked Championship manager to be in his staff at West Ham.The former Chelsea boss is expected to be named as the new Hammers manager today.Graham Potter is expected to be named the West Ham managerCredit: AFPNarcis Pelach will arrive a coach despite being sacked by Stoke City in DecemberCredit: RexPotter, 49, arrives at the London Stadium as the successor to Julen Lopetegui.The Spaniard was sacked after just seven months in charge of the club.He only won six of his 20 Premier League games leaving the club in 14th place in the table.Lopetegui’s backroom staff have also left the club, with only goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero remaining.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLPotter will therefore name Narcis Pelachone of his first-team coaches at the club.The Spaniard has previously coached at the likes of Huddersfield Town and Norwich City.The 36-year-old landed his first managerial job in England in September as he was appointed Stoke City boss.However, he was axed just 13 days ago, on December 27, after winning just three of his 19 matches in charge.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe also had time as a player and played for the likes of Spanish sides Cassa, Manlleu, Palamos and Figueres.Pelach’s playing career came to an early end as he retired at the age of just 27.Graham Potter lands new job as West Ham await decision on whether he will replace Julen Lopetegui as manager West Ham’s first game without Lopetegui in charge will come against Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Friday night at Villa Park.Potter will have to get to work quickly in order to steady the sinking West Ham ship.The club forked out £127.5million in the summer on stars such as Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Max Kilman and Crysencio Summerville.But results on the pitch have gone backwards from the time under David Moyes.Potter will also have to find a way to get the team firing without talisman captain Jarrod Bowen.The England international is currently sidelined with a fractured foot and is not expected back until February at the earliest.Lopetegui v Potter: The statsGraham PotterCareer win rate: 38.6 %Games managed: 440 gamesPremier League win rate: 28.3 %Honours: Swedish Cup Winner (2016/17)Clubs managed: Ostersund, Swansea, Brighton, ChelseaJulen LopeteguiCareer win rate: 54.9%Games managed: 419 gamesPremier League win rate: 34.4 per centHonours: Europa League (2019/20), U19 & U20 EurosClubs managed: Rayo Vallencano, Spain Youth, Porto, Spain, Real Madrid, Sevilla, Wolves, West Ham More

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      Wayne Rooney tipped for Man Utd job he would be ‘absolutely brilliant at’ after Plymouth exit

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      WAYNE Rooney has been told he would be “absolutely brilliant” in a coaching role at Manchester United.It comes just seven days after he left Championship side Plymouth Argyle by mutual agreement after seven months in charge.Wayne Rooney has been told he would be ‘absolutely brilliant’ in a coaching role at his former club Man UtdRooney, 39, won just four of his 23 league games in charge of the Pilgrims and left with Plymouth sitting rock bottom of the Championship.Six defeats and three draws since November put the final nail in Rooney’s coffin as his latest management tenure fell apart quickly.But former Old Trafford team-mate Wes Brown has urged Rooney to return to Carrington.Ex-defender Brown believes Wazza would be “absolutely brilliant” helping those back in their old stomping ground.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBrown, 45, told The Sports Daily: “If Wayne wanted to spend time as a striking coach he would be absolutely brilliant at it.”He was one of the best goalscorers we’ve ever seen and was a top playmaker as well.”If he wanted to do that he would be very good on movement and things like that, he was one of the best to do it. “Could he help Rasmus Hojlund at Manchester United? I think all young strikers would love to listen to Wayne and his knowledge.Most read in FootballFormer Old Trafford team-mate Wes Brown has urged Rooney to return to CarringtonFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”When I was a young player I remember getting a few tips from Laurent Blanc and the little things like that can really help. “If Wayne was on hand to give out some advice [at United] I’m sure everyone would be willing to listen.”Luke Littlers’ brilliant reaction to hearing he won £500k after thrashing Van Gerwen in PDC World Championship finalWes Brown and Rooney watched Man Utd win the FA Cup against Man City last MayGoals are hard to come for United, who languish down in 13th in the Prem as they endured their worst-ever start to a campaign.But the Red Devils showed promising signs on Sunday as they held Prem leaders and arch-rivals Liverpool to a 2-2 draw at Anfield.And new boss Ruben Amorim has already assembled his own coaching staff to help him solve the chaos in M16.Former United captain Rooney spent a similarly disastrous 84 day spell in charge of Birmingham City before his stint at Plymouth.At the start of his coaching career, Rooney managed Derby County as well as MLS side DC United.He entered the world of management after a sensational playing career that saw him lift five Premier League titles.Rooney also added the 2008 Champions League to his 16 major trophies. He is widely regarded one of the Prem’s greatest ever players.READ MORE SUN STORIESWazza is still United’s all-time record goalscorer and also held the record for England before Harry Kane surpassed his tally in 2023.He is unlikely to secure an immediate return to management and has already been offered the chance to return to TV screens in a punditry role.Wayne Rooney’s record-breaking careerWAYNE Rooney took the football world by storm when he made his debut for 2002 with Everton.He quickly became the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer aged 16 years and 342 days and was named the BBC’s Young Sports Personality of the Year.The striker joined Manchester United in 2004 and spent 13 years at Old Trafford. He went on to make 559 appearances for the Red Devils and scored 253 goals. To this day he is still the club’s all-time leading goalscorer.Following his spell with United, Rooney returned to Everton for a season. He also spent one-season stints with D.C. United and Derby County at the end of his career.As well as his impressive club career, Rooney is also England’s second-highest goalscorer with 53 goals in 120 appearances, behind only Harry Kane.After hanging up his boots, the England icon turned to a career in management.He took charge of Derby County in 2020 and managed to just about save the club from relegation from the Championship at the end of his first season.However, with Derby handed a 21-point deduction the following campaign, he was unable to keep them up again and subsequently left.Then came a 15-month spell in charge of MLS side D.C. United. He failed to impress during his time in Washington and parted ways with the club at the end of the 2023 regular season.Rooney was controversially handed the Birmingham job in October 2023, replacing John Eustace with the club doing well and sixth in the Championship table.However, in 15 games he suffered nine defeats and managed just two wins. He was sacked in January 2024 with Birmingham down in 20th. The club were relegated to League One at the end of the campaign.He returned to management in May with Plymouth Argyle but managed just five wins in 25 games. The United legend now finds himself out of work once again. More

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      Preston North End star Jordan Storey set to stand trial after pleading not guilty to assault charge

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      A FOOTBALLER is set to stand trial on charges of assault and affray.Defender Jordan Storey, 27, is accused of assaulting Tomas Whatmough.He pleaded not guilty at Preston crown court yesterday to two charges from last January.Preston North End’s Jordan Storey is set to stand trial on charges of assaultA trial lasting up to three days was originally scheduled for 2026, but has been brought forward to May 6 this year.The Preston North End stopper has signed a deal to stay at the club until the summer of 2028.Storey has been at the Lancashire club, who currently lie 14th in the Championship, since 2018, making nearly 200 league appearances for them.He has also played for Exeter City and has been out on loan at Preston’s fellow Championship ­outfit Sheffield Wednesday.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLPreston North End have been contacted for a comment.In November, The Sun revealed that a former Premier League prodigy had been jailed for stabbing a teen with a Rambo knife after turning to crime when his career flopped.Causso Darame left 19-year-old Ronnie Evans partially paralysed with “life-changing injuries” after attacking him in a “vicious” robbery.The 25-year-old, who was signed by Swansea City FC when they were in the Premier League, stole the teen’s neck chain and bracelet.Most read in FootballDarame has now been jailed for four years and four months after he admitted robbery and possession of a knife.Portsmouth Crown Court heard the horror unfolded in the early hours of May 12 last year near Ken’s Fried Chicken restaurant.Brighton ace’s home burgled as model fiancee shares security footage More

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      Plymouth REJECTED in first approach to replace Wayne Rooney as League Two club block move for ex-Premier League star

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      PLYMOUTH have been denied permission to speak to Walsall manager Matt Sadler.Argyle have placed the Saddlers boss on their shortlist to replace Wayne Rooney.Plymouth have been denied permission to speak to Walsall boss Matt SadlerCredit: GettyArgyle sacked Wayne Rooney on New Year’s EveCredit: RexSadler, a former Premier League star with Birmingham City, has guided Walsall 10 points clear of League Two.The Saddlers have won their last seven games in the fourth tier, pulling clear of a chasing pack including Crewe Alexandra, Salford, Port Vale and AFC Wimbledon.Championship strugglers Plymouth are considering testing their resolve with a generous compensation package.Man Utd legend Rooney was given the boot on New Year’s Eve with Argyle rock bottom of the Championship.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSRooney won just five of his 25 games in charge, with Argyle’s last victory way back in early November at home to Portsmouth.The Pilgrims have scrapped filming for their fly-on-the-wall documentary following Rooney’s exit.As SunSport revealed in November, filming had commenced for a series showcasing their battle for Championship survival.They had hoped to flog the series to a streaming platform – such as Netflix or Amazon Prime – and raise significant funds in the process.Most read in EFLFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSProduction staff were told to “take a break” from filming after just TWO games, with club bosses worried the project risked becoming a “distraction”.Lorton Entertainment, who had been working on the project, already had ties to the Rooneys, having worked on feature length documentary ‘Rooney’ and ‘Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story’.Rooney has bagged a new role for 2025 as house husband – after blowing the final whistle on his manager job with failing Plymouth ArgyleAs for Rooney, he is expected to be offered an immediate return to punditry work.A TV insider told SunSport: “Wayne is regarded as one of the best pundits in the business.”He’s very, very knowledgeable about the game.”And even though he’s actually quite a shy person, he really feels at home in a TV studio.The insider added: “It’s been a rubbish end to 2024 for Wayne, but he’s not going to be out of work for long.”Wayne still harbours ambitions of making it as a manager.”But, like Gary Neville, it might end up being the case that he can carve out a more successful and lucrative career as a pundit rather than as a manager in the dugout.” More

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      Former Premier League stadium looks unrecognisable under heavy blanket of snow with huge heaters to thaw pitch

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      AN iconic former Premier League ground has been left unrecognisable thanks to a barrage of snow.Freezing temperatures and strong winds have deposited plumes of snow up and down the UK.Parts of the UK has been covered in snowCredit: PAThe now-Championship ground has been transformed into a winter wonderlandCredit: GettyThe iconic and usually recognisably stadium is anything but that at this moment in timeCredit: GettyThe heavy snowfall, however beautiful it may be, has wreaked havoc across the UK.It’s left many a place looking like a Winter Wonderland – nearly two weeks after Christmas.And a Championship stadium has been left looking like it’s situated in the North Pole.Incredible photos of Elland Road – the home of Leeds United – submerged in snow started doing the rounds on social media on Monday.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAnd the deluge of snow has left the normally instantly-recognisable stadium looking anything but that.Aerial snaps showed the Championship table-toppers had deployed numerous heaters – which were illuminating bright colours – on the pitch to “help the grass grow”.The decision from Leeds’ groundstaff to leave the layer of snow on the pitch was made to prevent it from fully freezing.Leeds shared their own snap of a snowy Elland Road on their Instagram and X accounts.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe club are utilising state-of-the-art heaters to ensure the pitch doens’t fully freezeCredit: GETTYTheir accompanying caption included snowflake and snowman emojis and read: “@ellandroad.”Scores of Leeds fans commented, with one saying: “Very nice.”Millwall fans boo their own light show at The Den ahead of Leeds clash Another said with two love-heart-eye emojis: “What a stadium.”And another said: “Nice view.”One of the Elland Road faithful said: “Beautiful.”Leeds fans will be hoping the snow will be gone come Saturday afternoon, when they welcome League Two outfit Harrogate Town for their FA Cup third-round tie. More

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      Leeds back in Premier League and Wrexham promoted AGAIN? Full predictions for EFL ahead of business end of the season

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      WE are into the second half of the season and now have a good idea which teams look likely to stick with the pace.Here are my predictions on who will win promotion automatically and via the play-offs, as well as those who should be in the mix come the end of the season . . . Leeds look good for automatic promotion to the Premier LeagueCredit: RexCHAMPIONSHIPAUTOMATIC PROMOTIONLEEDSThe Elland Road club won’t fall apart again. Their 3-3 draw at Hull was a blow but Leeds are scoring for fun and I tend to think teams who score bag-loads get out of this division.Daniel Farke lost Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter, Luis Sinisterra and Glen Kamara.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut the likes of Brenden Aaronson, Joel Piroe and Dan James have stepped up to the plate.BURNLEYScott Parker is promotion king in the Championship and bids for three out of three at the Clarets after taking Fulham and Bournemouth up.They don’t let many goals in and Josh Brownhill is a big goal threat. Burnley should squeeze just enough results out to make the top two.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSPLAY-OFFSIt’s like pinning a tail on a donkey predicting play-offs but I have a sneaky feeling for SUNDERLAND.Football icons’ strange hobbiesRegis Le Bris has made the Stadium of Light a fortress and on-loan Wilson Isidor’s nine goals so far have been very handy.But keep an eye out for Danny Rohl’s SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY and you cannot rule out SHEFFIELD UNITED under Chris Wilder.MIDDLESBROUGH will be there and WEST BROM surely will have a puncher’s chance.Wrexham will be there or thereabouts in League OneCredit: PALEAGUE ONEAUTOMATIC PROMOTIONBIRMINGHAMIt’s a disgrace the Blues are even in the third tier after a relegation that should never have happened.But the American owners poured millions into the club in the summer in a bid to make it a one-season stay — and it will be.Jay Stansfield, a £15million buy from Fulham, has 12 league goals.But, getting striker Alfie May in from Cheltenham was the best bit of business. His ten league goals, including two in Saturday’s 3-0 win at Wigan, are a big reason why they are in the title race.WREXHAMPhil Parkinson had to do things a bit differently this season from the two previous campaigns in the National League and League Two.With Birmingham buying almost everyone that he wanted in the summer, he brought in potential.Keeper Arthur Okonkwo, 23, from Arsenal was great business, while striker Steven Fletcher is still doing it up top at the age of 37. I expect them to nab second.PLAY-OFFSHUDDERSFIELD are another club that should never have gone down last season. It was madness to get rid of Neil Warnock, who miraculously kept them up the campaign before.But Michael Duff has a great shot at going up in the play-offs.WYCOMBE are punching above their weight with Matt Bloomfield and will be in the promotion chat — along with BARNSLEY, READING and STOCKPORT.Walsall have shown their class this termCredit: AlamyLEAGUE TWOAUTOMATIC PROMOTIONWALSALLThe Saddlers are nailed on to go up under Mat Sadler. Nathan Lowe and Jamille Matt have netted 14 and seven goals respectively — and their defence is frighteningly stingy.AFC WIMBLEDONThe Dons have made steady progress under Johnnie Jackson and I reckon he has found the right formula to lead them up.Matty Stevens has been excellent up front with 12 goals — while defensively they are sound. I see them breaking into the top three.NOTTS COUNTYDavid McGoldrick is rolling back the years at the age of 37 with his beloved Magpies.The ex-Sheffield United, Ipswich and Southampton man is on a mission to shoot them into League One under Stuart Maynard. And his deadly double in the 2-0 victory against Swindon on Saturday meant he has netted ten this season in the league.PLAY-OFFSI like the look of CREWE. Lee Bell was so close to taking the club up last season before their painful loss to Crawley in the play-off final.They are hard to beat — only four losses so far. My only worry would be they don’t have an out-and-out goalscorer who can provide the firepower.But the experience of Mickey Demetriou, 34, fused with the  talent of 20-year-old Zac Williams and James Connolly, 23, have made for a great defensive base.I can see PORT VALE slipping out of the automatic spots under Darren Moore and Grant McCann should steer DONCASTER to make the top seven.If Paul Cook cannot get CHESTERFIELD into the play-offs it will be a massive failure for the Scouser who has a huge budget.READ MORE SUN STORIESSALFORD should also be in the argument but I fancy eighth-placed BRADFORD under Graham Alexander making a strong push.And I wouldn’t be surprised if Scott Lindsey can conjure another miracle — after taking Crawley up last season — to get MK DONS gatecrashing the play-off spots. More

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      Worst ever Premier League teams after 20 games revealed as Southampton have fewer points than record-breaking Derby

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      SOUTHAMPTON are officially the worst ever Premier League team at the midway point of the season.The Saints find themselves rock bottom after 20 games with just six points following Saturday’s 5-0 home thrashing from Brentford.Southampton are on course to become Premier League’s worst ever teamCredit: RexMick McCarthy’s Sunderland side also had six points by this stageCredit: GettyEven Derby County in 2007-08 – the worst team in Premier League history – had one more point at this stage.Southampton are on their way to stealing that unwanted record after 20 games.It has been a rough return to top-flight action for the Saints after their one-season stay in the Championship.The once steady top-flight club, who replaced Russell Martin with Ivan Juric last month, have only beaten Everton this season.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSSouthampton have shipped 44 goals since August, while scoring just 12 to leave them with a goal difference of -32.The Sunderland side of 2005/06 also had six points after 20 matches, but had conceded nine less goals.Mick McCarthy was managing Sunderland that season as they were relegated from the Prem after finishing rock bottom with 15 points.Derby overtook the Black Cats’ shameful accolade and recorded the lowest tally ever seen with 11 points in 2007-08.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe Rams finished the campaign with a -69 goal difference and only secured one sole victory.Yet after 19 games they had seven points – one more than Southampton do now.In the last 122 years, only five teams have had six points or fewer at this stage in an English top flight season. All five went on to be relegated.But those at St Mary’s can take heart from Sheffield United’s 2020-21 season.The Blades looked on course to replace Derby as the Prem’s worst side when they entered December 2020 with just five points.Unfortunately for Derby, Sheffield United – although they still finished bottom – had 23 points come the end of the season.In 2016, Aston Villa had eight points a midway point, and Sheffield United’s most recent Prem flock recorded just nine last season.Derby County had seven points under Paul Jewell by this stage in 2007-08Credit: PA:Press Association More